Failure to Label Opened Food Items in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
During a kitchen tour, surveyors observed an open plastic bag containing six hashbrowns in the facility's freezer that was not labeled with the date it was opened or a use-by date. The Dietary Service Supervisor (DSS) confirmed that, according to facility policy, all foods in the kitchen should be labeled with both an opened date and a use-by date. The DSS acknowledged that failing to label the bag could result in shortened shelf life and potential contamination. The Director of Nurses (DON) also stated that food in the kitchen should be labeled with an opened date and a use-by date, as per facility policy, to ensure staff know when to discard food and prevent serving it to residents. A review of the facility's policy and the 2022 Food Code confirmed the requirement for date marking of ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety foods. The deficiency was identified due to the lack of labeling on the open bag of hashbrowns, which was not in accordance with professional standards or facility policy.